At the end of this topic, you should be able to:
• discuss how Christianity was planted in Egba land
• identify the problems that confront the spread of Christianity in
Egba land.
Henry Townsend and Wilhem Arrived Badagry
On 24 December, 1842, Reverends Henry Townsend and Wilheim
arrived Badagry and worshipped with Reverend Birch Freeman who
was an adherent of Methodist faith. On 29 December, 1842, Townsend
left Badagry for Egba land. He was received by Oba Sodeke of
Abeokuta. All commercial activities were suspended to welcome the
Missionaries to Egba land since they requested for them to plant
Christianity in the land. The Missionaries established Mission Station in
Abeokuta on 27 July, 1846. Abeokuta was made the Headquarters of the
other Mission Stations for Yoruba land. In 1847, the Church Missionary
Society planted their Missions in the following towns: Ake,Owu, Ikija,
Itoku, and Igbein. The Missionaries established Sunday School, and
Primary Schools for both the old and young people in Egba land. The
wives of the Missionaries cared for the women of Egba land. In Egba
land, the Missionaries were also involved in the economic, commercial,
social and political life of the people as stated by Oshitelu. They
encouraged the people to trade by using Ogun River as waterway for
trading. They bought and sold farm product such as palm oil and cotton.
In 1862, the Missionaries built Ake Orphanage in Abeokuta to take care
of Orphans in the land. The Mission also established a News paper
called Iwe Irohin in Yoruba language. It was used as a medium of
information for the people in Egba land in 1859.
Reverend Johnson Samuel Appointed the Secretary of the Egba United Government
In 1902, Reverend Johnson Samuel was appointed the secretary of the
Egba United Government. He was also known as Adegboyega Edun.
C.B. Moor was also appointed the treasurer of the Society. The highest
judicial authority in Egba land was no longer held by the Ogbonis but by
a Christian named J. Martin. While Reverend D.O. Williams became the
‘Prime Minister’ of the Alake around 1898 and 1911. In 1900, the Alake
of Egba land named Gbadebo attended Church service at the opening of
the Townsend Wood Memorial Church. Since then he attended services
regularly. He became a devoted Christian and abandoned the traditional
customs of the land. For instance he allowed his face to be seen by his
chiefs. Further more, He prayed to God whenever drought or illness
efell his domain.Oba Gbadebo no longer consulted diviners for
solution to the problems of Egba land But went to Saint Peter’s Church
to pray to the living God to solve such problems. He also had a Chaplain
for the king’s palace in Abeokuta town. Oba Gbadebo paid a visit to the
king of England in 1904. king Edward vii gave him a Bible as a special
gift.
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE
State the roles of the Alake of Egba land in the spread of the Gospel in
his land.
4.0 CONCLUSION
You have read in this unit that the Egba people sent for Missionaries to
plant Christianity in their area. They accepted Christianity and it brought
to them social, spiritual, educational and economic gains which further
spread to the other areas of Yoruba land. Christianity paved way for Oba
Gbadebo to pay visit to England. The happiness and gains which other Yoruba people saw among Christians in Egba land made them open
their gates to the Missionaries. The Christians who were traders also
spread their faith to some parts of Northern Nigeria.
5.0 SUMMARY
In this unit, you have learnt the following:
The Abeokuta people welcomed the Missionaries to their land and
allowed them to plant Christianity.
Many Mission Stations were opened by the Missionaries in Egba land.
The Missionaries established a vernacular newspaper called “Iwe
Iroyin”.
6.0 TUTOR- MARKED ASSIGNMENT
1. Discuss the roles of Alake of Egba land in the spreadb of
Christianity in Egba land.
2. State the benefits of Christianity to the people of Egba.
7.0 REFERENCES/FURTHER READINGS
Ayandele, E.A. (1966).The Missionary Impact on Modern Nigeria
1842-191: A Political and Social Analysis, London: Longman.
Ade- Ajayi, (1977).Christian Missions in Nigeria 1841-1891: The
Making of a New Elite, London: Longman.
